As is well known, Britten's non-liturgical setting of the Requiem Mass poignantly incorporates the poetry of Wilfred Owen, and was explicitly anti-war in intent. The premiere took place on 30 May 1962 in Coventry Cathedral, rebuilt after wartime bombing through a British-German collaboration.

It was performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Meredith Davies, and the Melos Ensemble, conducted by the composer.

There was a profound and appropriate silence between the final notes and the applause at the end.